Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

10:30 am

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Seanad should take hold of a few issues. Previously, we addressed the issue of the elderly. This week, we have addressed the issue of farm safety. Unfortunately, I could not be in attendance for that debate but it was a worthwhile exercise. We should grab hold of the issue of housing. We should invite in those in the sector who plan such strategies. I refer to the non-governmental agencies involved in housing, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the groups, such as Threshold, that Senator Hayden is in charge of. This is a crisis like no other. It is a crisis that is having a significant effect at present. While there is a plan for housing, not a penny has been spent or allocated to any local authority to do anything about it. The Seanad needs to look at that. I would include social housing and voluntary sector housing. I would also include the private sector because they all have a role to play.

This is a crisis, by the way, that was predicted by the former Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, here in this House just after he was appointed. Even then it could be seen that there would be a shortage of housing in the Dublin area. He was right. It is one of the few matters that the Government got right. It predicted that almost four years ago. We could play a role here. We could show the people that we are relevant and that we are addressing something that is of considerable concern. I would include the issue of repossessions and the housing of those whose houses are repossessed because these factors are contributing to the crisis.There is also a major issue about the order of repossessions at the moment. It seems to be the case that there are many unoccupied, abandoned houses that are still sitting there, not having been repossessed, while banks are happy to go after families. All of these issues could be debated in a worthwhile fashion by this House.

I formally request the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate soon on the potato and horticulture industry in Ireland. It is a major industry but parts of it are under severe pressure, despite all the good news that comes out from that sector. The potato industry, in particular, is under pressure not just from changing eating habits, but also from imports. Believe it or not, we import many potato products into this country, particularly processed products. We could have a good debate here on that sector. It is of major importance in Meath, North Dublin, Louth and nationally. It is our national vegetable.

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